Chisinau - Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko believes Ukraine and Moldova have to resolve a lot of common issues in their way toward joining Europe.
“Following the elections to the Rada, we have received a unique opportunity to implement the association agreement with the EU. Ukraine is consolidating now, and a ruling coalition is being formed to continue the reforms that have been started. I am sure that the elections in Moldova, which should determine a lot, will also pass successfully, and the European way will also be continued,” Poroshenko said at a joint press conference with the Moldovan and Polish presidents in Chisinau on Thursday, Nov. 20.
“European integration has no alternative,” he said.
Kyiv is interested in seeing Chisinau continuing to follow a pro-European way of development, he said.
“We should go together, and we have to resolve a lot of common issues. The matter is not only about European integration but also the implementation of a lot of joint regional projects, the settlement of the Transdniestria conflict, and border cooperation,” he said.
Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski called on the Moldovan people to continue integration with the EU. “Poland has been an EU member for 10 years and a NATO member for 15 years. Owing this, we have more stability, confidence, and security. The people live better and richer. We are developing by EU rules, which offer great opportunities for living in peace and wellbeing. We wish the same to our neighbors, Moldova, Ukraine, and Georgia, which should find their way to the European Union. The citizens of Moldova should get to realize that the EU never acts against other countries but provides the chance to live and develop in freedom and democracy,” Komorowski said.
The Polish leader pointed to the importance of parliamentary elections in Moldova slated for Nov. 30. “I wish the people of Moldova prosperity, so that the European way can be continued after the elections. Poland has supported and will support this course, so that Moldova could put down strong roots in the EU. We are in solidarity with Moldova, as we understand that, through solidarity, we can better protect national interests of our countries from external challenges and preserve peace and stability in this part of Europe,” he said.
Asked by journalists to comment on corruption, which involves, in particular, embezzlement of European money in Moldova, Komorowski described this as “a curse for all countries on their way to the EU.”
“All countries have dealt with this phenomenon to this or that extent in different periods. At the same time, only European integration, pressure on the part of European organizations, and commitment to European values help efficiently fight corruption,” he said.
